Pen tool in after efefcts

Definitely keep at is.  Pen tool is one of those tools when you first look at it seems like the stupidest tool, but is really one of the most powerful. 

It takes a lot of practice to get proficient but definitely worth the hours and heartache to get there.

Try selecting the path in the timeline, then change from the pen tool (g) to the selection tool (v) and pay attention to the pointer. When it is a white-filled small arrow, you can drag a selection around multiple points or even select line segments. 

If you need to brake vertices, hold down the Alt/Option key with the Pen tool selected to bring up the appropriate tool. Again, pay attention to the pointer. It just takes practice. 

Holding down the Shift key while dragging a selection with the Pen tool or the Selection tool will limit the move to horizontal, vertical, or 45º. 

When you have problems with a tutorial, include a link to the tutorial. Unfortunately, most of the tutorials you find with a web search are prepared by well-meaning enthusiasts, and the workflows and explanations can be a bit sketchy.